Copier machine feeding multiple size copy sheets

ABSTRACT

Sheet feed apparatus for an automatic copy machine in which a plurality of tray members support a corresponding stack of sheets. Baffle members arranged at the delivery end of sheet tray members define a common exit path leading toward copy processing stations and feed means associated with each of the stacks engage the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack in response to electrical signals. A control circuit supplies electrical signals to the appropriate sheet feed means to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward a common exit path for transport past copy processing stations in accordance with a selected image size to be produced.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Lawrence C. Alman, .Ir.;

Jack R. Ilauber. both of Webster, N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 824,542 [22] Filed May 14, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 23, I971 73] Assignee Xerox Corporation Rochester, N.Y.

[54] COPIER MACHINE FEEDING MULTIPLE SIZE COPY SHEETS 6 Claims, 55 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 355/50, 271/9. 355/6 [51] Int. Cl ..G03b 15/00 [50] Field of Search 355/50. 6; 271/9 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.078.963 11/1913 Sheldon 271/9 1,504,256 8/1924 Marcuson.. 271/9 X 2.626.147 1/1953 Gjostein 271/8 2,741,960 4/1956 Oldenboom 355/6 2.927.516 3/1960 Hix 355/6 3.348.464 10/1967 Sturdevant 271/9 X 3.398.259 8/1968 Tregay 355/3 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1.160.164 7/1969 Great Britain 271/9 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes Attorneys-James J. Ralabate, Melvin A. Klein and Norman E. Schrader ABSTRACT: Sheet feed apparatus for an automatic copy machine in which a plurality of tray members support a corresponding stack of sheets. Baffle members arranged at the delivery end of sheet tray members define a common exit path leading toward copy processing stations and feed means associated with each of the stacks engage the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack in response to electrical signals. A control circuit supplies electrical signals to the appropriate sheet feed means to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward a common exit path for transport past copy processing stations in accordance with a selected image size to be produced.

PATENTEUuuv 23 I9?! 3. 622 .2 3 8 sum 01 0F 33 INVIiNTOR. LAWRENCE C. ALMAN JR. mPJACK R. HAUBER MAM ATTORNEY PATENTEDuuv 23 IHH sum 03 or 33 D33 WI PRINT SIZE STOP PRINT START PRINT FIG. 3

RIO RII me i l50 300 g i 600 L0 HI LO HI FIG. 4

PATENTED NOV 2 3 l97l SHEET 08 HF 33 LII PAIENIEDuuv 23 ml 3.622.238

sum 07 HF 33 F/GIQ PATENTEMuv 2 3 mm sum 11 0F 33 minimum 23 Ian 3.622.238

sum 13 0F 33 PATENTEmnv 23 um sum 1n [1F 33 PAI'ENTEDNHV 23 ml 3.622.238

SHEET 15 0F 33 PATENTEDNnv 23-I97l 3.622.238

sum 16 [1F 33 

1. Sheet feed apparatus for an automatic copying machine comprising: a frame, a plurality of tray members supported by said frame in a vertical array, a plurality of sheet stacks to be fed, each of said stacks being supported by a corresponding tray member, lateral sheet guide means arranged on said tray members to be adjusted within minimum and maximum limits to accommodate stacks of different widths and end stop means adjustably positionable along said tray members to engage and position the trailing Edge of an associated sheet stack, baffle members arranged at a delivery end of said frame to define separate inlets to a common exit path leading toward processing stations, sheet feed means associated with each of said stacks including drive rolls positioned in contact with the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack for a predetermined time to feed sheets in response to electrical signals, circuit means to supply electrical signals to, the sheet feed means to rotate said drive rolls to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward the common exit path for transport past copy processing stations for producing a predetermined copy size, and control means to cause said circuit means and sheet feed means to feed sheets from a one of said stacks in timed relation to the operation of the processing stations in accordance with a predetermined control setting.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means includes switching means for selectively placing said feed means in an automatic feeding mode or a manual feeding mode and a door member mounted on said frame for providing access toward the common exit path until automatic operation is resumed.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including handle means operatively connected to said sheet feed means for raising said drive rolls a predetermined distance to effect loading stacks of sheets simultaneously onto said tray members.
 4. In automatic recording apparatus in which enlarged copies of different size film frames arranged on aperture cards are reproduced onto corresponding copy sheets including card-handling and scan apparatus having a movable carriage for supporting and moving aperture cards each having a film frame thereon in seriatim from a start of scan position to an end of scan position relative to a fixed optical axis and wherein said card handling and scan apparatus has an adjustable start and stop mechanism for varying the start of scan position and the end of scan position of said carriage, an improved sheet feed means for feeding different size cut sheets into the machine for transport past processing stations comprising: a frame, a plurality of tray members supported by said frame in a vertical array, a plurality of sheet stacks to be fed, each of said stacks being supported by a corresponding tray member, lateral sheet guide means arranged on said tray members to be adjustable within minimum and maximum limits to accommodate stacks of different widths and end stop means adjustably positionable along said tray members to engage and position the trailing edge of an associated sheet stack, baffle members arranged at a delivery end of said frame to define separate inlets to a common exit path leading toward processing stations, sheet feed means associated with each of said stacks including drive rolls in contact with the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack for a predetermined time in response to electrical signals, circuit means to supply electrical signals to the sheet feed means to rotate said drive rolls to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward the common exit path for transport past copy processing stations for producing a predetermined copy size, and control means to cause said circuit means and sheet feed means to feed sheets from a one of said stacks in timed relation to the operation of the processing stations in accordance with a predetermined machine setting effecting a particular film frame scan with a corresponding sheet size.
 5. Sheet feed apparatus for an automatic copying machine comprising: a frame, a plurality of tray members supported by said frame in a vertical array, a plurality of sheet stacks to be fed, each of said stacks being supported by a corresponding tray member, baffle members arranged at a delivery end of said frame to define a common exit path leading toward processing stations, sheet feed means associated with each of said stacks including drive rolls for engaging the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack in response to electrical signals, circuit means to supply electrical signals to the sheet feed means to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward the common exit path for transport past copy processing stations, control means to cause said circuit means and sheet feed means to feed sheets from a one of said stacks in timed relation to the operation of the processing stations in accordance with a predetermined control setting, wherein said sheet feed means includes lift means for lifting the operative drive rolls from the top of an associated stack a predetermined distance for a predetermined time period to enable free movement of a sheet delivered toward the processing stations in response to electrical signals, and wherein said lift means includes a shaft member supporting said drive rolls, a lever member, a coil spring having one end wrapped around an end of said shaft member and the other end fixed to said lever member, and a solenoid plunger member fixed to said member and responsive to electrical signals.
 6. Sheet feeding apparatus for an automatic copying machine comprising: a frame, a plurality of tray members supported by said frame in a vertical array, a plurality of sheet stacks to be fed, each of said stacks being supported by a corresponding tray member, baffle members arranged at a delivery end of said frame to define a common exit path leading toward processing stations, sheet feed means associated with each of said stacks including drive rolls for engaging the topmost sheet of a corresponding stack in response to electrical signals, circuit means to supply electrical signals to the sheet feed means to feed automatically a preselected sheet from a one of said stacks toward the common exit path for transport past copy processing stations, control means to cause said circuit means and sheet feed means to feed sheets from a one of said stacks in timed relation to the operation of the processing stations in accordance with a predetermined control setting, and wherein said sheet feed means includes lift means for lifting the operative drive rolls from the top of an associated stack a predetermined distance for a predetermined time period to enable free movement of a sheet delivered toward the processing stations in response to electrical signals. 